WESTVILLE ROAD, N.S. – The Junior A Crushers will get another shot at the Truro Bearcats.
The Maritime Hockey League team will host the rival Bearcats tonight, Oct. 10, two weeks after the Bearcats beat the Crushers at the Pictou County Wellness Centre, Pictou County’s only home loss thus far on the season.
“We don’t ever want to lose at home, and losing to Truro – we definitely weren’t happy with that,” Crushers captain Jake Martin said.
Short-staffed due to injuries (Kevin Mason) and suspensions (Sullivan Sparkes, Brayden Ryan) the Crushers split a pair of games this past weekend, beating the Valley Wildcats 5-2 on Oct. 3, before dropping a 2-1 road game to the Summerside Western Capitals on Oct. 5.
“The Summerside game was tough,” Martin said. “We thought we played pretty well, but we’re having trouble scoring goals. We’re getting our chances, we’re just not executing right now.”
In the win over Valley, Andrew Burden had two goals, while Evan Gallant, Cal MacPherson and Malcolm Genge also found the range for Pictou County, who trailed just 30 seconds into the first period, but would score five straight to take control.
Jaden Mason and Sam LeBlanc each had two assists for the Crushers.
In Summerside, Evan Gallant had the only goal of the game for Pictou County, who got a 40-save effort from goaltender Matt Normore. Normore was named one of the game’s three stars.
Martin said their opponents have been taking advantage of Crusher miscues.
“Even the games before Valley and Summerside, the other teams were scoring off our mistakes, they’ve been capitalizing.”
The Crushers also have a home date Oct. 12 against the South Shore Lumberjacks. Both games start at 7 p.m.
NOTES
• Crushers forward Brayden Ryan was recently suspended indefinitely by the league according to Bylaw 3.1.a (conduct detrimental to the league). Crushers general manager Chad McDavid wouldn’t divulge the reasons for the suspension, although he did say the matter was not criminal in nature.
“It was an off-ice incident that is being dealt with by the league,” McDavid said. “I expect it’ll be resolved within a week.”
• The game against Truro will feature two of the lowest-scoring teams in the MHL. The Crushers have 17 goals in six games, the Bearcats have 14 in eight games. Only the Valley Wildcats have scored fewer goals (14).
BY THE NUMBERS
Pictou County Crushers
Record: 3-3 (3rd place, South Division)
Top Scorers: Sullivan Sparkes (0G, 6A), Evan Gallant (4G, 1A) Samuel LeBlanc (0G, 5A).
Stats Say: Goalie Matt Normore has the third-best save percentage in the league (0.940 per cent).
Truro Bearcats
Record: 1-4-3 (5th place, South Division)
Top Scorers: Spencer Blackwell (5G, 4A), Matt Gordon (2G, 7A), G Blackmore (2G, 3A).
Stats Say: Truro has only one win this season (Sept. 26 over the Crushers), but could jump past the Crushers and into third place if they beat them this week.
